Sophie of Merenberg
Countess Sophie Nikolaievna of Merenberg, Countess of Torby, (1 June 1868 – 14 September 1927) was the eldest daughter of Prince Nikolaus Wilhelm of Nassau and Natalia Alexandrovna Pushkina.
Early life
Sophie was born at Geneva, Switzerland, the first child of Prince Nikolaus Wilhelm of Nassau and Natalya Alexandrovna Pushkina.[1] As the marriage of her parents was considered morganatic she was ineligible to bear her father's title or rank. Her paternal grandparents were William, Duke of Nassau and Princess Pauline of Württemberg. Her maternal grandparents were the renowned Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin, and Natalya Pushkina.
Marriage and family
She married morganatically, on 26 February 1891, Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich of Russia, grandson of Nicholas I of Russia at Sanremo, Italy in secret. The Grand Duke and Sophie had met in Nice and fell instantly in love. When his mother heard of the secret marriage to a bride of unequal Royal status, she collapsed and fell ill, but subsequently died of a heart attack in Kharkov. He was blamed for her death and was forbidden to attend the funeral. Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich was denied his military rank and was sent into exile. [1] Sophia was later created Countess de Torby in 1891 by her uncle, Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg; the title was extended to all three of her children.
They had two daughters and one son:
- Countess Anastasia Mikhailovna de Torby known as "Zia" (9 September 1892 – 7 December 1977); married, in 1917, Sir Harold Wernher, 3rd Baronet.
- Countess Nadejda Mikhailovna de Torby known as "Nada" (28 March 1896 – January 1963); married, in 1916, Prince George of Battenberg (later 2nd Marquess of Milford Haven).
- Count Michael Mikhailovich of Torby (8 October 1898 – 8 May 1959).
Later life and Death
Sophie and her husband lived at Kenwood House, Hampstead, London prior to World War I, however the Russian Revolution reduced the Grand Duke's finances. Despite their reduced circumstances, they were friends of King George V and Queen Mary and continued to attend society events.
Sophia died in London on 13 September 1927 and was buried at Hampstead Cemetery. Grand Duke Michael contracted influenza and died in London on 26 April 1929, aged sixty-seven. He was buried alongside his wife.
Ancestry
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See also
References
Genealogics - Leo van de Pas Gräfin Sophie von Merenberg, Countess Torby